Trelise Cooper

Internationally celebrated New Zealand designer Trelise Cooper produces exquisite collections of clothes using a luxurious array of fabrics in avant garde silhouettes with much attention to detail. With each collection Trelise aims to design clothes that represent a woman's individual self expression and to enrich and celebrate her life. The Trelise Cooper label is sold in 14 countries and 350 stores around the world and pieces are found in the wardrobes of A list celebrities like Lindsay Lohan and Reese Witherspoon. Di Cant recently had a wonderful designer chat with this successful fashion designer who is in Australia during March to judge at the NRA Australian Fashion Design Awards. Channel 9 on the 19th march at 8.30pm.

Q: Where and when did it all begin with the designer and the brand Trelise Cooper.

A: The label began in the mid 90's with the Trelise Cooper brand and the opening in my first Auckland store and wholesaling the collection to boutiques in New Zealand and Australian followed. My Melbourne store in Malvern Road Hawksburn opened in 2001.

Q: Trelise, I and some of my istylefashion clients buy Trelise Cooper and David Jones, Camarge and the Trelise Cooper store in Melbourne. Do we get to see the whole collection here is Australia? If not, where can I see the whole story?

A: The whole collection is in the Melbourne store. Camarge and David Jones both have great selections to suite their customers too. My website shows the complete collections. www.trelisecooper.com

Q: Is Australia your biggest market and do you sell in the USA and in Europe?

A: Yes, Australia is still the largest market. Australians have really embraced my designs and I am so grateful for that. The USA and Europe also make up a large percentage of sales and we are experiencing growth each season. Trelise Cooper is now available in 14 countries around the world and is sold in over 350 stores.

Q: Who is your customer and is she the same in the overseas market?

A: My customer is a woman who likes to be fashionable and is not afraid to express her ideas in the clothing she wears. She likes detail and embellishment on her clothing, likes a little colour and a little bit of theatre mixed in. There is such an individual element to women who wear Trelise Cooper because the collection can be interpreted in so many different ways.

Q: Where do you inspirations comes from? Fabrics, colours or other directions?

A: I'm inspired by life! I travel constantly and absorb all the beauty, history and cultures around the world. I also love movies, art galleries and the theatre and I love to collect historical garments - all of these things combined are my inspiration.

Q: The conundrum for most women is juggling a career with motherhood and family life. How do you manage this aspect of running a successful business and raising your family?

A: To be honest it is my greatest challenge and the thing I feel most guilty about. its not just a business but how I express myself in this life. I think balance is hard to achieve and so I try to integrate my business and home life, because balance in not always achievable.

Q: What is the number one piece in your collection this winter?

A: A white cotton shirt with a Victorian style lace bustle called 'Victorian Principle'.

Q: Some advice for any young girls or guys out there wanting to become a successful fashion designer one day:

A: Be persistent and determined, never give up and be clear about who you are and be bold - maintain a point of difference and be rigourous in your self-criticism. Also make sure you foster relationships with your customers and suppliers - its can't just be good enough, it has to be excellent.

Q: What is your own personal style? Do you personally wear everything you design in the ranges?

A: My collection definitely reflects my own personal style. Unfortunately I can't wear all the styles so I choose garments from the collection that suit my body shape and my mood.

Q: A travel tip for busy women - what can't you leave home without?

A: I hang all my clothes on plastic hangers and pack them straight into the suitcase. That way when you arrive you can unpack so quickly! I always think it's take more than you think you need to give yourself enough choice - It's great to dress depending on your mood.

Q: Have you kept some of the more memorable pieces since the beginning, and will there be a museum in years to come?

A: Yes I have archived some really special pieces and a small selection will be exhibited at the national museum of New Zealand, the Te Papa in Wellington which is very exciting.

Trelise Cooper collection available at David Jones, QueensPlaza and Camargue at Emporium Brisbane. www.trelisecooper.com

Previous Designers

Jonathon Ward Trelise Cooper
George Gross & Harry Watt
Akira Isogawa
Gail Elliot
Jets - Jessica Allen
Jayson Brunsdon
Easton Pearson
Sass and Bide
Paul Hunt
Charlie Brown
Harry Who
Lisa Ho
Zimmerman
Carla Zampatti
Pete Morrissey